Zakat Fund receives over MVR 70 million

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that the total amount received to the Zakat Fund has exceeded MVR 70 million.

Speaking at the inauguration of a workshop on putting together a Zakat Act draft, Dr Shaheem said that the increase in the amount received by the fund for several consecutive years, was a sign of growing public awareness regarding zakat.

He said that MVR 14 million was received to the fund in 2008, while MVR 37 million was received in 2012, MVR 45 million in 2013, and MVR 52 million in 2014.

He said that a law must be established to ensure that this money is protected and put to the best use.

He added that if zakat administration can be improved, the amount collected to the fund can exceed MVR 500 million.

At an earlier press conference, Dr Shaheem said that efforts were ongoing by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Islamic Development Bank to establish a system to ensure transparency in terms of issues related to zakat.